During a Saudi investment conference in Miami, President Trump acknowledged Elon Musk among the attendees, highlighting Musk’s recent positive impact. Trump encouraged applause for Musk, who was present alongside other business leaders. It was unclear if Musk attended due to his work on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) or as the head of companies like X, SpaceX, xAI, and Starlink.
Musk holds a role as a “special government employee,” a designation developed in the 1960s that allows temporary appointments for specific roles without requiring divestment from personal business interests. Despite this, ethics specialists have expressed concern over Musk’s concurrent roles, fearing it may blur the boundaries between his business dealings and government responsibilities, potentially eroding public trust. Musk and the White House have committed to preventing conflicts of interest.
Musk has been actively involved in his government role, attending events like the Conservative Political Action Conference near Washington, D.C., where he accepted a chainsaw from Argentinian President Javier Milei. Musk touted the symbolic chainsaw as a tool for cutting bureaucracy.
Recently, Musk had meetings with international leaders, including a private session with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting, which Musk attended with his children, appeared to resemble an official bilateral discussion, with both countries’ flags displayed. Official statements before and after the meeting have emphasized Musk’s capacity as the head of DOGE and CEO of Tesla. In a press release, cooperation between the U.S. and India in areas like innovation, space exploration, and technology was emphasized.
Musk’s involvement in various sectors, coupled with substantial business holdings, has raised questions about potential conflicts. Government ethics experts have voiced concerns about the implications of his dual roles, pointing to a lack of transparent conflict avoidance measures. Nonetheless, the White House insists that Musk is committed to following ethical standards and plans to file a confidential financial disclosure.
In a recent Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, both Trump and Musk downplayed the risks of conflicts of interest, with Musk asserting he would step back if a conflict arose. This occurs amid Trump’s controversial firing of several government ethics watchdogs, sparking concerns about governance integrity.
Though Musk’s work remains largely undocumented publicly due to his office’s requirements, he maintains that his initiatives are transparent, frequently posting updates on social media. The Department of Justice, in a court case, clarified Musk’s non-official capacity within DOGE, instead labeling him as a senior advisor to the president.
Experts like John Yoo and Stephen Gillers highlight the legal and ethical ambiguities surrounding Musk’s role. They note the challenge of verifying Musk’s activities due to limited transparency and the constraints of legal and regulatory measures. The White House has countered criticism as partisan and assures adherence to ethics standards regarding Musk’s position.
